Pelosi Statement on Obama Nominations in Key Energy and Environment Posts

Contact:Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on President-elect Obama’s nominations of Steven Chu for Energy Secretary, Carol Browner for White House policy coordinator for energy and climate issues, Lisa Jackson for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and Nancy Sutley for Director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality:

"President-elect Obama has assembled an extraordinary ‘green team’ that is more than equal to the enormous task of protecting our planet, launching a clean energy economy with millions of green jobs, and providing a more affordable and secure energy future.

"Californians are particularly proud of the selection of Nobel physics laureate Steven Chu as our next Secretary of Energy and the first Asian-American to hold this prestigious post. Dr. Chu brings the facts and strong persuasive skills to the energy and climate debate, as well as a track record working with the private sector to find market-driven solutions.

"President-elect Obama has demonstrated his unprecedented commitment to presidential-level leadership on energy independence and global warming by creating the position of White House coordinator for energy issues. In this role, Carol Browner will bring together the views of all of our new President’s energy advisors, including Secretary-designate Chu, the nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa Jackson, and the next head of the White House Council on Environmental Policy, Nancy Sutley.

"I look forward to working with our new President and his green energy team in the new Congress to meet the twin challenges of making America energy independent and reducing global warming."